Home Projects With Xavious
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2007 4:01 pmWelcome to Home Projects With Xavious. Today we will be constructing the Leyden Jar.
First invented by the Dutch scientist Pieter van Musschenbroek and named after the University of Leiden, this device was used to conduct early experiments concerning electricity. The Leyden Jar works as a simple capacitor. It stores an electric charge inside of it.
The materials needed for this modern day Leyden Jar are:
2 Lock Nuts
1 Bolt
1 Washer
1 PVC Pipe
2 PVC Pipe End Caps
Aluminum Foil
Copper Wire
Begin by screwing the first lock nut onto the threaded bolt. Once all the way down, take the copper wire and coil it around the bolt below the lock nut. Secure it with glue or tape. When finished it should look like so:
Next, prepare one of the two end caps for assembly by drilling a hole as close to the center as possible and make sure that the bolt will have a tight fit. Place the bolt through the underside and place the washer on the top side followed by the second lock nut. Tighten down the lock nut as far as possible to prevent loosening.
Next up begin putting the aluminum foil on the inside of the PVC Pipe. In this experiment I used Aluminum tape.
Secure the final endcap to the bottom and the endcap with the bolt onto the pipe as well. Thus we have a Leyden Jar.
NOTE: This device has not been field tested yet and strength of the charge it can hold is as of yet unknown or whether or not it can even hold a charge. On Monday this device will be taken to be tested unless it is tested prior to then. Also, it is advisable but not necessary to secure any gaps or cracks in the pipe segments with electrical tape.
EDIT: The device has been tested and it can indeed hold a charge although the charge detected was very weak. The exact strength of the maximum charge is unknown.
Next week on Home Projects With Xavious we will be exploring the refinement of Plutonium and drawbacks of nuclear energy. Until then remember, never try washing a cat by throwing it in the toilet with soap and then flush.
First invented by the Dutch scientist Pieter van Musschenbroek and named after the University of Leiden, this device was used to conduct early experiments concerning electricity. The Leyden Jar works as a simple capacitor. It stores an electric charge inside of it.
The materials needed for this modern day Leyden Jar are:
2 Lock Nuts
1 Bolt
1 Washer
1 PVC Pipe
2 PVC Pipe End Caps
Aluminum Foil
Copper Wire
Begin by screwing the first lock nut onto the threaded bolt. Once all the way down, take the copper wire and coil it around the bolt below the lock nut. Secure it with glue or tape. When finished it should look like so:
Next, prepare one of the two end caps for assembly by drilling a hole as close to the center as possible and make sure that the bolt will have a tight fit. Place the bolt through the underside and place the washer on the top side followed by the second lock nut. Tighten down the lock nut as far as possible to prevent loosening.
Next up begin putting the aluminum foil on the inside of the PVC Pipe. In this experiment I used Aluminum tape.
Secure the final endcap to the bottom and the endcap with the bolt onto the pipe as well. Thus we have a Leyden Jar.
NOTE: This device has not been field tested yet and strength of the charge it can hold is as of yet unknown or whether or not it can even hold a charge. On Monday this device will be taken to be tested unless it is tested prior to then. Also, it is advisable but not necessary to secure any gaps or cracks in the pipe segments with electrical tape.
EDIT: The device has been tested and it can indeed hold a charge although the charge detected was very weak. The exact strength of the maximum charge is unknown.
Next week on Home Projects With Xavious we will be exploring the refinement of Plutonium and drawbacks of nuclear energy. Until then remember, never try washing a cat by throwing it in the toilet with soap and then flush.
